Heroes come in all forms, this time it was a mother who had just given birth 4 days prior that flew into action and came to the rescue. After she left the NICU visiting her newborn, the woman saw a man running down the freeway on fire, literally. Instead of waiting for someone else to save the man, she risked her life and got him to safety just seconds before an explosion that would have surely taken his life.
This is the definition of a super-mom!
Holly had just given birth 4 days before the incident, she was on her way home with her mother after visiting her newborn son in the hospital. As they approached the freeway, their eyes fell sight on something horrible.
Running down the exit ramp on interstate 70 in Indianapolis, was a man on fire. He was transporting jet fuel across the country when his truck tipped over and caught fire. Obviously, being jet fuel, the fire spread quickly until he was burning from head to toe.
Holly leaped into action without thinking twice, she sprinted to help the man before it was too late
As soon as she saw the man on fire, Holly knew she had to help, she said:
“I pulled over on the side of the road. I see people videotaping and watching what is going on, so I knew something big was happening, but I wasn’t sure what. I look at my mom and I said, ‘I’m going over there because nobody else is doing anything'” Holly told PEOPLE.
Before her mother could respond, Holly was already running down the road toward the man in flames
By the time Holly got to the semi-tanker, her legs were covered in jet fuel putting her at high risk of catching fire herself. Thankfully, 50-year-old, Mitch Navarre, had seen the situation and also came to help. The two quickly put out the flames on the man with a jacket, before Holly realized they needed to get out of there, fast.
“I asked him what he was hauling and he told me jet fuel and I was like, ‘honey, we’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got a newborn that I want to get home to and I’m sure you have family that you want to get home to.” Said Holly.
That’s when a huge explosion took place, spreading the fire.
Holly and Mitch worked together to carry the man to safety, just seconds before the spot they were standing caught fire
Only seconds after the two good samaritans carried the burnt man to a safe spot, the exact place that they rescued him from was covered in flames.
“His skin was dripping, he had no hair, his lips were gone, and I just told him, ‘It’s okay, you’re alive, you’re breathing, you’re gonna be okay.'” Holly explained.
The man was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, barely escaping what would have been sure death
Without Holly and Mitch, the 59-year-old semi-tanker most likely would have died on the scene.
1:55 PM – Driver of tanker critically injured after truck carrying 4000 gal. of jet fuel makes contact w/ guardrail, overturns & catches fire at SB I465 ramp to EB I70. Multiple explosions result. Heavy fire & jet fuel runoff makes initial access to the area difficult for crews. pic.twitter.com/Vlaourva74
— Indianapolis Fire Department 🚒 (@IFD_NEWS) February 20, 2020
“Without question, those good Samaritans saved this driver’s life,” Sgt. John Perrine, of the Indiana State Police, told USA TODAY.
#OnScene SB I465 & EB I70 Tanker Fire pic.twitter.com/nADUApBzSP
— Indianapolis Fire Department 🚒 (@IFD_NEWS) February 20, 2020
What a harrowing experience, especially after just giving birth. Thankfully Holly’s adrenaline took over and she was able to save the day. To see a detailed news report on the incident, watch the video below!
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